Tension device.



Nq..'7s9,523. PATENTE) SBM-22,1993.

W. s. WELLS.

TBNSIUN DEVICE. Arrmoulon ruim 00T. xe, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

ATTURNEYS UNITED STATES Patented septemberee, 190e.- "l

PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM S. WELLS, OF ASTORIA, NEI/lr YORK, 'ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO MOSES O. MIGEL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

V,TENSION DEVICE.

srncrrrca'rrolv forming para of Letters Pat-'ent naveasae, aat-ed september a2, 190e. I Application tiled October 16, 1902. Serial No. 127,454, (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t nfl/ty concern:

Be it known thath WILLIAMYSTOLL WELLS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Astoria, in the county of Queens and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tension Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to tension devices for threads, and is more particularly designed to apply tension to silk threads in process of winding them from large spools upon smaller spools or so-called qnills.'

-The object of my invention is to provide a tension device which will be extremely efficient and which will allow the thread to be moved at a very high rate of speed, which will allow the thread to be readily introduced into the tensionv device, and which will act in a uniform manner irrespective of the thickness of the thread. The spool from which the silk thread is taken is generally held stationary and only the spool upon which the thread winds isrevolved, and the axes of these twoY spools are preferably arranged atan angle to each other.

An example of my invention is shown inv the accompanying drawings, and the novel features of the improvement are pointed out in the appended claims.

in diameter toward one end, thereby enabling the thread to readily wind od withouta rotation of the spool A.

C is a'stationary guide or eye for giving the thread the proper direction through the tension device proper to ,the winding-spool D, which is rotated, with its holder, in any` suitable manner. Forinstance, the spindle D mayconstitute a rotary spool-holder. It will be observed that the axes of the spools A and D are located at an angle to each other, pref erably at a right angle. The tension device is located so as to receive that portion of the thread which is between the guide O and the spool D. This tension device comprises a base E, to which is secured a plate F, having a very smooth upper surface. This plate may, for instance, be made of glass and extends beneath the thread B, as shown best in Fig. 2. The thread thus passes over said plate with but little friction.V

Above the base E and plate F is arranged a frame G, held in position bya wing-nntH, which screws on a projection Hf from the base E. This frame is provided with one or more apertures G, which allow access to the pressure-exerting device to be Adescribed p resently. At its free end the. frame G is provided With a depending lipGi, which terminates at a distance from the base E, so as to leave a slot G3, through vwhich the thread B may be'inserted into the tension device sidewise withouttaking the tension device apart. At Vabout its center the frame G is provided with projections G4, and at the ends similar projections G5 are located. Adjacent to the ends of the plate F are located guide-studs I I', Whichare in engagement with the thread B. Between the projections Gf* and G5, I locate Within the frame G a series of weights, 4preferably in the nature of rods or rollers J', which extend transversely'of the thread and of the plate F.v These rods do not entirely yill the space between the projections G4 and G5, and are therefore capable of vshifting or rolling lengthwise ofthe plate F. (See Fig. l.) Preferably the rollers are also capable of an endwise shifting movement transversely lof the plate F, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 3.

The thread is inserted into the tension device through the slot Gsaud is passed under the rollers J so as to rest upon the plate F. In order that this may be done, the projections Gr4 and 'G5 do not extend inwardly as far as the edges of the plate F. The rollers J exert a'pressure on' ythe thread by their weight, and this pressure may be regulated by employing a greater or smaller number of these rollers.. The tension varies but little with the speed given to the thread, and if the thread is started at a high rate of speed there is very little danger of breakage, owing to the fact that the rollers .I do not simply ICG turn upon their axes, but are capable of traveling lengthwise of the plate F until they engage the projections Gr4 or G5. Furthermore, in case of a sudden pull one or more of the rollers would mount upon the others, thus avoiding any excessive strain upon the thread. The movement of the rollers transversely of the plate F also contributes to minimize strains.

The arrangement of the axes of the spools A and D at an angle to each other, as shown in Fig. l, enables lne to employ a high rate of speed while keeping the spool A stationary. The thread may be straight between the guide C and the spool D, or, if desired,

the tension may be increased by causing the thread to form a bend either at the guidestud I or at the stud I', or both, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The improved tension device hereinbefore described is very simple in construction and can be readily taken apart for cleaning and repairs.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the nature o't my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A tension device comprising an approximately horizontal flat supporting element on which the thread is adapted to rest, and loose weights adapted to bear upon the th read from above and to travel lengthwise of the thread.

2. A tension device comprising a frame having a lateral slot or opening so that the thread may be introduced sidewise, a supportingplate adjacent to said slot, and loose weights arranged to travel lengthwise of the thread and to press it against said supporting-plate.

3. A tension device comprising a supporting element on which the thread is adapted to rest, loose Weights bearing on said thread and extending transversely thereof, said weights being adapted to travel lengthwise of the thread, and stops or projections for limiting the movement of the said weights lengthwise of the thread.

4. A tension device comprising a supporting element for the thread, loose rollers arranged to travel lengthwise of the thread and adapted to press the same against said supporting element, and a frame having projections or stops against which said rollers are adapted to abut.

5. A tension device comprising a supporting member for the thread, loose weights for pressing the thread against said supporting member, and guides arranged to engage the side of the thread adjacent to the ends of the portion which is engaged bythe said weights.

6. A tension device comprising a supporting member for the thread, a plurality of sets of rollers for pressing the thread against said supporting member, and a frame having projections or stops for limiting the movement of said rollers and for separating one set of rollers from the other, said frame being also provided with apertures allowing access to the rollers.

7. A tension device comprisinga base provided with a supporting element for the thread, a frame detachably secured to the base, and spaced therefrom at one end to form a slot for the sidewise insertion of the thread, and loose rollers extending transversely of the thread and adapted to press the same against the supporting element, the movement of the said rollers being limited by the said frame. f

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM S. WELLS. f

Witnesses:

M. C. MIGEL, I. E. TALLMAN. 

